Ballina R1

11:15Tooheys New Grafton Cup Preview (Bm82)
1900mBenchmark 82Heavy 10Rail: True
Races123456789
Model rankingsall runners · unfiltered
ConsensusOur key selections. A pick only appears when multiple models that we use agree on the same top selection — the highest-performing signal we publish. We only bet if we can get the Target price (20% above our Fair price) or better. Early prices shown here are a guide only. We reconcile our results only on those selections where the bookmaker SP is above the target price. You should make your own assessment if these selections fit your betting profile and never bet what you aren't prepared to lose. Our models aren't perfect, don't expect our selections to be.Entropy2.17top 3
Approved selection
Ranked 1st
1. Scarlet Prince
Archie Mc Colm (3)
Fair
$2.60
Target
$3.12
Mkt
$2.90
Ranked 2nd
5. Stoicism
Frederick Larson (5)
Fair
$5.54
Target
$6.65
Mkt
$5.00
Ranked 3rd
2. Sun Topaze
Jett Newman (1)
Fair
$5.99
Target
$7.19
Mkt
$4.20
FairThis is our model's price for this horse, any odds above this are considered good value.
TargetThe minimum price to bet — 20% above Fair. Only back this runner at the Target price or longer.
MktMarket price as @ 08:30 AEST.
SP — Official Bookmaker Starting Price
EntropyA score that reflects how contested a race is based on the model's predicted results. Lower the better, ≤ 2.7 is considered a good clear indicator.
Predicted speed mapback → finish →
Backmarkers0
settle 11+
Midfield5
settle 7–10
2 Sun Topaze(1)
4 Rock The Machine(2)
1 Scarlet Prince(3)
7 Nature Boy(4)
5 Stoicism(5)
On-pace0
settle 3–6
Leaders0
pushing for the lead

Speed map

There is no confirmed leader in this 1900m race, which makes the first 300 metres more about intent than raw pace. There is no deep line of natural pressers behind that, so the race can become tactical. With the rail at True and the track listed Heavy 10, the tempo reads as unconfirmed and likely controlled unless one rider makes an early decision; the important point is not just who lands first, but which horses can hold a rhythm without being forced wider than their map allows.

The money part of the map is this: . The listed pick(s), 1. Scarlet Prince, sit on the map as 1. Scarlet Prince maps midfield, so their case has to be judged through that run rather than reputation. If the front half walks, the race favours those already within striking range; if they overdo it, the midfield and back markers get their only clean invitation.

Historical overview

The broad 1900m profile is based on 8 races. Its clearest barrier pointer is inside (1–4), which has supplied 75.0% of winners, while the strongest settling band is on-pace (4–6) at 50.0% with an A/E of 1.27.

There is no deeper usable split beyond that sample for today's exact going and rail, so the base profile carries the read and the condition-specific edge should be treated as softer. The market line has generally been usable: pop ($2–5) runners account for 62.5% in this set, while the rougher end is much less reliable when its share is low.

  • On-pace (4–6) is the main run-style clue — 50.0% at A/E 1.27 across 8 races, pointing most directly at none.
  • Barrier shape matters — Inside (1–4) has produced 75.0% of winners, so gates and early position are tied together rather than separate factors.
  • Market discipline is still needed — Pop ($2–5) has the largest historical share at 62.5%, which argues against chasing a runner only because it maps neatly.

Overall assessment

From the jump I expect the race to be decided by how quickly 1. Scarlet Prince, 2. Sun Topaze and 4. Rock The Machine sort their positions. The best run belongs to the horse that can be close enough before the turn without spending the middle stages chasing, because the race profile is not kind to runners who concede both position and momentum.

Key chances

  • 1. Scarlet Prince — maps midfield from barrier 3, which does not perfectly match the main historical lane used above.
  • 2. Sun Topaze — maps midfield from barrier 1, which does not perfectly match the main historical lane used above.
  • 4. Rock The Machine — maps midfield from barrier 2, which does not perfectly match the main historical lane used above.

1. Scarlet Prince (fair odds $2.60, early quote $2.90) is the listed pick and the map supports it because it lands in or near the preferred settling band. My read agrees with that selection.

The race comes undone for this read if the early tempo is stronger than expected and brings 1. Scarlet Prince and 2. Sun Topaze into the race before the leaders have balanced for home.

This write up was completed using AI. We prompt it with extensive real race data and actively manage parts of the output. We are actively reviewing and refining these prompts, if you have feedback about these commentaries, please send us a message to hello@hoofmetrics.com.Generated by StopWatch (gpt-5.5).

Distance stats

Distance
1900m · 8 races (8 winners)

Barrier draw

RunsWins% WinSRA/E
Inside (1–4)32675%18.8%1.32
Middle (5–9)35225%5.7%0.44
Wide (10+)800%0%0.00

Settling position

RunsWins% WinSRA/E
Leaders (1–3)21337.5%14.3%0.86
On-pace (4–6)21450%19%1.27
Midfield (7–10)2200%0%0.00
Backmarkers (11+)300%0%0.00
Unknown8112.5%12.5%0.81

Market (SP)

RunsWins% WinSRA/E
Odds-on (≤$2)1112.5%100%1.95
Pop ($2–5)21562.5%23.8%0.88
Mid ($5–10)15225%13.3%0.93
Roughie (>$10)3800%0%0.00